Collapsible receptacle



July 19,1949. J, BERG 2,476,531

' Y COLLAPSIBLE RECEPTACLE v Y Filed May 5, 1947 INVENTOR ATTORNEYPatented July 19, '1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COLLAPSIBLERECEPTACLE Joseph Berg, Duluth, Minn.

Application May 5, 1947, Serial No. 745,941

3 Claims.

l This invention relates to collapsible receptacles such as pails or thelike and has special reference to improvements in such receptacles asshown in my former U. S. Patent No. 1,848,929 dated March 8, 1932.

One of the principal objects of the instant invention is to augment thepracticability of such a pail. Another of the principal objects is toprovide such a pail which is capable of being manufactured and assembledwith as little expense as possible.

Another object is to provide a more substantial intermediate operatinglocking member together with a pair of normally contractile members foralternately biasing the frame structure of the pail in both collapsedand erected positions.

Another object is to provide a more convenient frame structure forthrowing water from the pail equipped with theinvention as for examplein the event of re where quick application of water is essential.

Still other objects and advantages will appear as this descriptionprogresses.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing forming part of thisapplication:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of one of the pails fully expanded andready for use.

Fig. 2 is of the pail completely collapsed.

Fig. 3 is a -plan view of the pail bottom.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged broken cross sectional view through the upper rimof the expanded pail.

Fig. 5 is a reduced inside elevational view of one of the foldablestanchions or standards of the frame structure of the pail.

The reference numerals I and 2 represent the top and bottom angularlyshaped hoops respectively of the pail and which are preferably attachedas by suitable rivets through the top and bottom clips 3 and 4respectively of the stanchions 5 6.

There are preferably four of these foldable stanchions 5 6, the twoparts of each of which are pivotally united at their smaller ends as bythe folded stamped clamp-like member 1, the latter being rmly attachedand clamped to the smaller end of the part I and overlapping the bightof the larger part 5 of the stanchion, thus providing a relatively longand durable pivotal connection at this point.

Intermediate of the two rim hoops is permanently installed the adjustinghoop 9 of -similar cross section to hoops I and 2, through which all ofthe upper portions 5 of the standards are 2 adjustably rove withinelongated holes I0 in said hoop 9. Y

As auxiliary holding means for` automatically biasing the framestructure towards either open or closed position after rst being soadjusted, there is installed within two opposed stanchions 5--5 acontractile helically formed spring II. The upper end of each spring isattached as at I2 to the lower face of the horizontal flange of the hoop9 and the opposite end of each spring is attached as at I3 to the outerface of its respective clamping member 1.

The container member here indicated by the numeral I :l may be of anyfabric-like material and if contemplated for use as a Water receptaclewould be of water-proof material and of course of such as is mostreadily collapsible without ultimate injury.

For holding in what is deemed the preferred cooperative relationship ofthe ilexible container I4 to the supporting frame just described, thewire ring I5 is provided of a diameter but slightly less than the insideof the upper hoop I and into the angle of which it is tted after theupper marginal edge of the container I4 has been folded and stitchedthereabouts as clearly shown in Fig. 4 ofthe drawing.

The bottom of the frame structure is deemed novel in that an integralsheet metal reenforcing member I6 is fastened spider-like within and tothe lowermost hoop 2 and preferably being of somewhat Greek-cross shape,providing a plurality of crescent-shaped openings I1 for most convenientoccupancy of the iingers of one hand of an operator when in the act ofthrowing or dumping liquid out of the receptacle with both handsmanipulating the same.

In collapsing the pail to the position shown in Fig. 2. all that isrequired is to place the thumb of each hand inside the upper rim of thepail on opposite sides thereof and with the fingers squeeze the rim 9upwardly. At this time the stanchions will fold inwardly. Continuedupward stress on the rim 9 will ultimately bring the pail intocompletely collapsed position.

To open the pail for use, all that is required is to grasp the handle I8and with a slight downward ick, the pail snaps completely open. When inopen position, the pail cannot be collapsed by downward pressure on theupper rim, only by the squeezing of the center rim 9 towards the upperrim can this be accomplished, thus making a sturdy dependable pail forselective use.

To simplify the manufacture and assembly of the pails the rims arestamped of any suitable sheet metal as are the clips 3 and 4 and theclamp-like member 1. In assembling a pail, the clips 3 and 4 are rivetedto the top and bottom rims respectively, it being noted that each clip 3is notched as at I9 to receive the upper wire reenforced edge of thefabric lining or container I4. After the clips have been fixed to therims, the upper portions 5 of the hingedly united stan- Chions areextended through the openings lll in the hoop 3 and then bysqueezirigthe upper ends thereof inwardly they may be readily hooked through theopenings 20 in the clips 3 for suchH purpose, the hooked ends 2|providing locking engagement of the parts. The lower portions 6 of thestanchions are applied to the clips 4 in the same manner as the upperportions, At this time, the biasing spring members, and handle may beapplied and the frame structure is complete. It is then but a simplematter to spring the container I4 into position in the upper rim to.complete the pail.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is;

1, A collapsible container comprising a bottom hoop, a top` hoop, aplurality of jointed, equally and peripherallyspaced st anchions eachpivotally attached at one end; to said bottom hoop and similarlyattached at its Opposite end to said top hoop, and an intermediate hoopverticallyand adjust-ably supported byy said stanchions for adjustment;vof said container either to its erect or collapsed condition, saidVSti,mo1lionseach comprising a pair of opposed Substantially Uf-shapedframes, a folded clampuniting each pair of said frames and forming apivotall union therefor, means at one end of each of said frames forpvotally securing the same tosaid bottom and top hoops, and afabric-like container supported at its top peripheral edge by saidtophoop'.

2;- A collapsible pail comprising a lower hoop; an upper hoop; saidupper and lower hoops each carrying a. plurality of equallsl andperipherally spaced brackets ilxed thereto; a plurality of ioiptediequally aad peripherallyspaced stanchions pivotally secured at theiropposite ends to vertically aligned top and bottom brackets; saidstanchions each comprising a pair of opposed substantially U-shapedframes, a folded clamp member uniting each pair of said frames andforming a pivotal union therefor, and means at one end of each of saidframes for pivotally securing the same to said vertically alignedbrackets; a third hoop of angular cross section and having spacedl pairsof openings therethrough aligned with each pair of vertically alignedbrackets; said third hoop being carried by said frames intermediate saidupper hoop and said clamp members with said frames extending throughpairs of said openings; a contractile spring se- Acured to the outerface of said clamp members at one end and to, the inner edge of saidthird hoop at its opposite end; and a fabric receptacle supported at itstop peripheral edge by said upper hoop.

The structure as set forth in claim 2 and said receptacle comprising afabric member having a semifresiligent ring on its. upper edge; and saidbrackets carried by said upper hoop being notched to receive said ring.

JOSEPH BERG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the

